Corey Seager and Trayce Thompson led the way Friday night, and the Los Angeles Dodgers picked up Clayton Kershaw on Saturday to put themselves in position to complete a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves.
Scott Kazmir looks to keep his momentum going as he faces the Braves for the first time in his career. Kazmir last started against the Chicago Cubs and went head-to-head with Jake Arrieta.
The southpaw had seven strikeouts and allowed just one hit over six shutout innings. On the season, Kazmir is 4-3, with a 4.38 ERA, 4.84 FIP and 1.21 WHIP.
The three-time All-Star turned it around last month, posting a 3.49 ERA compared to the 5.76 ERA he had in April. Kazmir has allowed two earned runs or less in three of his past four starts.
Atlanta hands the ball the Matt Wisler, who made his Major League debut last June. Wisler is coming off a loss to the San Francisco Giants, though it’s not necessarily a poor reflection on the right-hander.
He allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings of work, failing to receive much run support. Wisler is 1-0 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in two career starts against the Dodgers. Overall this season, he’s 2-5 with a 3.16 ERA, 3.74 FIP and 1.01 WHIP.
There was a significant change in the Dodgers organization on Sunday morning with veteran outfielder Carl Crawford getting designated for assignment. Austin Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
With Justin Turner getting the afternoon off, the hot-hitting Thompson starts in right field and bats third. Although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Scott Van Slyke would start in left field, Kiké Hernandez instead gets the nod.
However, that’s to mean Van Slyke, reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, is dealing with any lingering injury issues.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
RF: Trayce Thompson
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Howie Kendrick
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
LF: Kiké Hernandez
P: Scott Kazmir
Braves lineup:
CF: Mallex Smith
SS: Chase d’Arnaud
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Jeff Francoeur
RF: Nick Markakis
3B: Adonis Garcia
C: A.J. Pierzynski
2B: Kelly Johnson
P: Matt Wisler
